Bismarck Tribune - Bismarck News - Tribe rejects changing name in vote

Tribe rejects changing name in vote

Jun 24, 2008 - 04:06:45 CDT

By LAUREN DONOVAN
Bismarck Tribune

The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe will continue to be known as Sioux, following a special election on the reservation.

Voters rejected a proposal to change the tribe's name from Sioux to "Oyate," a word that means "people or nation."

The name change was adopted in 2002 by the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux tribes in South Dakota.

In the same election, voters approved a new definition of tribal membership.

Until now, members had to have a one-quarter blood relationship to parent or grandparent who was an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.

Now, enrolled members born after 1957 can have a one-quarter blood relationship to the Oceti Sakowin from any federally recognized tribe. The words "Oceti Sakowin," describe people of the "Seven Council Fires of the Dakota, Lakota and Nakota." In addition, their parents and grandparents must be enrolled members of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.

This allows offspring of tribal members who intermarry with other related tribes to maintain their Standing Rock membership.

Voter turnout was low for the special election June 11, which election officer Dellis Agard said may have been because it was held the day after the statewide primary election, when people had just voted.

The blood quantum change was approved 381 votes to 180.

The name change to Oyate was turned down by a vote of 337 against, to 225 in favor.

The Sioux name continues to be in the news because of some question whether the University of North Dakota should continue to use the "Fighting Sioux" nickname for its athletic teams.

The issue is hotly debated on the reservation and around the state and the university is working to come to agreement with the tribe on whether UND can stick with the name, or change to one that doesn't reflect an ethnic group.

In May, the Standing Rock Sioux tribal council approved a moratorium on putting the Sioux UND logo up for a reservation-wide referendum.

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Comments

Dakotah reader wrote on Jun 29, 2008 1:37 PM:

" no, south Bismarck I do not work for the tribe. but yeah I would enjoy one of those days off to vote. I don't care about who sits on the election board. I know the vote to include all indian blood was passed. yahoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. good job chairman and council. now lets get this fighting sioux logo deal passed so some people can be proud because that is what they need to feel proud. a fighting sioux logo. LOL "

south bismarck wrote on Jun 28, 2008 11:43 PM:

" Dakota reader must be a hard working S.R. Tribal Employee just another day off
for them again. Wonder how much the most needed election cost plus a day off
for all employees????? Why is your smart/educated chairman making these so called moving of programs because his educated staff have to babysit certain
programs. What's the cost of all these moves??? Again money going to waste unless your on the election board of course these same old families get to set on this board year after year. But again very educated people. lol "

Dakotah reader wrote on Jun 28, 2008 9:23 PM:

" Hollywood NDN, your very bitter when it comes to the chairman. lighten up. you will give yourself an ulcer. if you want to learn Lakota/Dakotah then take a dang class!!!. geez, I get tired of people always running the chairman down. Is that what we have become?. complainers. it is so unfortunate that we have to bicker about everything. geez, they are going to put that fighting sioux logo deal up for a vote. I hope for your sake it goes through. be happy!!!!!!!!!!. I don't need some logo that says fighting sioux to make me feel proud. I am Dakotah and proud. "

HollywoodNDN wrote on Jun 27, 2008 10:45 AM:

" If that chairman is so smart whats he doin running an NDN tribe, it doesn't take abunch of education to aquire common sence...heck if he can't speak a word of Dakota how is communicating with the elders...I didn't vote for him. He's to Hollywood like me..I have all kinds of education..I can't speak a word of Dakota...Maybe it's because he looks like he could make a difference...Thats how NDNS look at one another, Oh geeze you look smart, here take this million dollars and find something to do with it, but don't give any of it to those living off this turtle island, the rez...the ROCK...I'd rather fail being aggressive, then fail being passive....I'd rather it be know, this Dakota Country is Fighting Sioux Country...I am a Dakota... Dakota, Lakota, Nakota or Sioux atleast we know who we are and where we came from... Know thats Common Sence "

Standing Rock Dakotah wrote on Jun 25, 2008 7:38 PM:

" I believe the only intelligent person with the tribe is Mr. Horse is Thunder. he has all kinds of education. I don't know if any other persons education can even compare to his. h is the man we need running our tribe. "

Standing Rock Dakotah wrote on Jun 25, 2008 7:34 PM:

" I am not a sioux either. I am Dakotah. My parents and grandparents were Dakotah. they were a proud people. they were full bloods. I will never call myself sioux. Ron His Horse is Thunder is still doing a great job. thanks Ron. "

south bismarck wrote on Jun 25, 2008 7:17 PM:

" I am Sioux and proud of it. But one question why wasn't the issue of the FIGHTING SIOUX name on the ballot, again last minute they took it off, why? because they knew it would be voted down. Why are they (council) so concerned with this naming business???? May be because other issues are to complex for
there intelligence. Been counting the months lately??? Down to 15 months left and counting. Can anyone answer a question is the S.R. chairman's house his house or is it the tribes?????? Just wondering. Everyone have a good day. "

Bill wrote on Jun 25, 2008 4:29 PM:

" sorry to hear about that "i'm not sioux either", Its too bad that the tribe gave everyone the day off and they didn't come to vote. Maybe too many people are on "indian time" they might be there on friday. If people wern't gonna vote why didn't they just to to work? "

I am not a sioux either wrote on Jun 25, 2008 2:07 PM:

" I would like to comment about regarding voter turnout.

The Tribe was closed the day of the election. The Tribe is probably by far the largest employer on the reservation. Obviously few Tribal employees voted if turnout was so low. The Tribe wasted a bunch of money giving their employees an entire day off to do something that would take maybe 1/2 an hour. This is along the same lines as the Tribe closing at noon on Fridays during the summer so that it's employees may attend whatever pow wow is going on that weekend.

Why didn't the Tribe have this special election the day before? They would have saved a bunch of money by doing it at the same time. "

Leah wrote on Jun 25, 2008 1:33 PM:

" I'll always be LAKOTA. Sitting Bull called himself LAKOTA. My language is Lakota. The word "Sioux" meaning "snake like people" is not what I want to be labeled as by French and British fur trappers. I'll always call myself LAKOTA. Vote or not. "

I am not a sioux wrote on Jun 25, 2008 10:57 AM:

" I will always defend that I am not a sioux. Why? Because I tend to think outside of the box (rez) This particular word and system was forced upon us and still is. Come on now let's use our intellect and be progressive. The box concept and the term was and always will belong the europeans. My ancestors fought for this land.
I am not an indian either this belongs to christopher columbus, why he thought he was in India. "

Adelina Defender wrote on Jun 24, 2008 11:03 PM:

" Retaining of the word Sioux is not only refreshing--the applied name referencing a mighty group of people is historical. The Siouan people are known throughout the world by that name. The Sioux name along with other tribes that participated in the victorious battle of the Little Big Horn that hot June 25, 1875 afternoon is frozen in the annals of time and nothing or anyone can change that. The Siouan Chief, Sitting Bull, has been credited with this victory via of his vision that saved the tribal groups who continue to grown at a rapid rate of speed. Another great leader is also a Sioux from the Oglalas and now being carved out of the very mountain he gave his life. The Sioux will soon take the center world stage for the sole reason of mankind's survival. Their greatness will be incomprehensible. "

Standing Rock Native wrote on Jun 24, 2008 12:25 PM:

" I guess that settles that question, "WE ARE SIOUX".... Now lets see what the anti-everything group comes with next. Bet those anti's are feeling really stupid bout now. Going around to all the districts acting like victims, giving power point presentation on why the SIOUX name is degrading, after all that. We're still Sioux. lol "

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